Step-by-step plan: Starting a private security firm

Entrepreneurs who intend to stay in the Netherlands must fulfil a number of conditions. You will sometimes also require a residence permit. Our interactive tool Coming to the Netherlands as an entrepreneur can help you find out quickly if this is true for you, and tell you what other obligations you have to fulfil.

If you plan to start doing business in the Netherlands, you will also need to have or apply for a business bank account (IBAN). The Dutch Banking Association has created a Quick Scan to help you find out if you are eligible. Read how it works.

You need a licence to establish a private security firm. Managers of a security firm also need separate ministerial consent.

Your employees must carry special proof of identity. You can submit an application for this proof of identity to the police force in the police district where your firm or agency is located.

All employees that carry out security activities are required to wear a uniform that has been approved by the Minister of Security and Justice. Your uniform must bear the prescribed 'V' emblem.

You must follow the Privacy Code of Conduct for detective agencies. The code of conduct explains how you should conduct research and how you should handle the personal data (privacy) of the people you are researching.

New businesses must register with the Dutch Business Register at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK. KVK will pass on your details to the Netherlands Tax Administration, who will issue you with a VAT identification number, to use for correspondence and invoices to your customers, and a VAT number, to use for your dealings with the Tax Administration. You will receive these numbers from the Tax Administration by post. Private limited companies and public limited companies have to register via a civil-law notary, who will take care of the registration at the Dutch Tax Administration on your behalf. If you do business in the Netherlands, but your company is not permanently established in the Netherlands, you may only need to register with the Tax Administration.

You must prevent false self-employment. Check with contractors whether they will be working as employees or as self-employed professionals.